Looking at the participants filing out of the afternoon session Thursday at the Plaza Conference Center wouldn't cause passers-by to raise an eyebrow.
But listening to them talk about their interests just might. The 2005 International Huna Seminar is in town, bringing together people with a common interest in ancient Hawaiian secrets for focusing physical and spiritual energy.
Huna seeks to bring all levels of human consciousness into harmony, said Dr. E. Otha Wingo, a retired professor of language at Southeast Missouri State University.
The five-day conference includes talks from people outside of Huna, including a morning session today featuring the Rev. Robert Towner of Christ Episcopal Church. And people interested in holistic healing are invited to a Healing Arts Night today at 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., where they can experience aromatherapy, yoga, spiritual energy healing and more for $15.
The seminar has attracted about 60 people from various parts of the United States and a few from overseas.
Huna was sifted out of Hawaiian language early in the 20th century by a man named Max Freedom Long. Huna is part of the ancient Hawaiian religious practices outlawed by white settlers and missionaries, said Greg Boyd, an associate professor at Southeast's School of Polytechnic Studies.
Huna, Boyd said, allows one to "become a self-empowering human being." It teaches "how to be the co-creator of your own destiny," he said.
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